Marijuana and Nurses

[jwolansk]

I was wondering is nurses in states that it is legal can smoke? Do you still get tested for marijuana?

[That Guy, BSN, RN, EMT-B]

Yes you do. And you will be denied employment/fired. There I saved you about 20 useless posts.

[klone, MSN, RN]

I've worked in both Colorado and Oregon - states that have legalized recreational marijuana. And in both states, hospitals still have a policy that nurses are not allowed to smoke marijuana. Facilities that accept federal funds (CMS) still must comply with federal laws, and marijuana is still illegal, federally.

That said, many hospitals do not drug test except for cause.

[EllaBella1, BSN]

That said, many hospitals do not drug test except for cause.

True, but "cause" can be pretty vague sometimes. For example, a drug-seeking patient recently shot up some heroin in one of the ED bathrooms- a bathroom that patients and staff both occasionally use- and forgot their used syringe/spoon in there. This was 'cause' for the hospital to drug test all of the ED staff.

[Asystole RN]

There are no states where it is OK for a nurse to smoke marijuana because it is a federal crime. Regardless if the state legalizes it or not, the feds have not. There is a temporary prohibition on DOJ prosecutions but that is only temporary.

I have never gained employment from a medium to large sized company without drug testing, even my corporate job setting I was tested.

[NurseGirl525, ASN, RN]

Every place does a drug test before you are hired. It's illegal here federally.

[klone, MSN, RN]

Every place does a drug test before you are hired. It's illegal here federally.

Not every place.

[Horseshoe, BSN, RN]

Yes you do. And you will be denied employment/fired. There I saved you about 20 useless posts.

And in those states, this has been challenged in court. Courts have unanimously sided with the employers.

[OrganizedChaos, LVN]

It's illegal federally. Also some hospitals test for nicotine & that legal.